Soldier 'unlawfully killed'

An inquest into the death of Lance Corporal James Ashworth - only the second soldier to be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for bravery - has ruled that he was unlawfully killed in Afghanistan last year.

The family of L/Cpl James Ashworth have paid a moving tribute to their son following an inquest at Kettering Magistrates Court.

Mum Kerry said her son had died doing the job he loved.

She said: "James passed away doing a job he loved. At times it was a hard job but he did get to experience new countries, learn new skills and make some wonderful friends.

"James will be forever be in our hearts, thoughts and prayers and we will never get over his passing. But we will stay strong together as a family and along with his friends we will remain positive and celebrate his life at every opportunity as I know that is what he would want us to do."

An inquest will take place today into the death of Lance Corporal James Ashworth - only the second soldier to be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for bravery - who was shot and killed in Afghanistan last year.

The soldier, who was 23 when he died in June 2012, came under fire from insurgents as he crawled along the ground to throw a grenade at a sniper.

Colleagues of Mr Ashworth are expected to argue that the absence of powerful weapons which could be used from a distance contributed to the soldier's death.